NOVEMBER CONTEST CATEGORIES

MASTERS: Light Beams From Above - Wide Angle - An image showing light beams coming from above, thorough something like trees on the bank, cave system with overhead holes, an opening in a wreck. NOT a sunball or light rays in the open ocean or reef.

CHALLENGERS: Silver Schools - Wide Angle - A school of highly reflective fish.

Trash Talk with the Sea Angels
Join Force-E (Riviera Location) on Nov 10, 2016 at 6:30 pm for "Trash Talk". We are honored to have the folks from Sea Angels come to give a talk about marine debris, how it affects the environment and what you can do to help.

The Sea Angels organize beach clean ups every month in Boynton Beach and you won't believe the stuff they find! They will also explain the best methods of disposing different types of items which will help make sure it doesn't end up back on the beach. Click here to register.

Changing Seas: Beneath the Bridge
Join Force-E (Pompano Beach Location) on Nov 17, 2016 at 6:30 pm, for a presentation and screening of Changing Seas episode Beneath the Bridge. Changing Seas is a public television series produced by WPBT2 – South Florida PBS in Miami, Florida.

The Blue Heron Bridge, is known as one of the best shore dives in the United States. What appears as an unlikely dive site at first is home to a rich variety of marine life. A scientist from Florida Atlantic University is studying the two species of octopus that live here, to better understand how these animals can co-exist in one area without competing with each other. In addition, several underwater photographers are contributing to scientific knowledge by documenting the large number of nudibranchs, or sea slugs, that live beneath the bridge.

Join us for some popcorn and refreshments and watch the amazing critters of the Blue Heron Bridge. Click here to register.



Pura Vida will team with Bigblue Lights to host a Demo Night on November 12, 2016 at 4:30pm! Stop by the shop to learn about the latest and greatest in underwater light technology. Then, check out a BigBlue underwater light for the Blue Heron Bridge Night Dive.  We will be demoing lights ranging from 250 lumens all the way to 2,600 lumens! This is a FREE event!

Lights are limited and will be distributed on a first come first served basis. Please come early to ensure that you receive a demo light for the dive. RSVP by Wednesday, November 9, 2016 so that the BigBlue Representative can bring enough lights for everyone. Click here to learn more and register.

Black Friday 2016 - November 25, 26 & 27
Pura Vida is the one stop for all of your holiday shopping this November 25th, 26th, & 27th. Our Black Friday & Small Business Weekend deals will allow you to shop for everyone on your list. It doesn’t matter if you have a scuba diver, surfer, or beach goer in the family. We have gifts for everyone!

Storewide SALE up to 80% off: Surf, Dive, Swim, Clothing and Gift Cards! (Some exclusions may apply.)

All clearance items will be additionally marked down up to 80%. All regularly marked sandals, swimwear, and men’s shorts are buy one get one 50% off. Select cameras will be 40% off. For more information, click here.
 

Shark Tagging Excursion: Tag a Shark - Save a Species
Join the Pompano Dive Center on a Shark Tagging Excursion, November 5th at 7:30 am. This trip is made possible through the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Nova Southeastern University. For more information, contact the Pompano Dive Center at 945-788-0208.

 
   

IKELITE GAMMA II FLASHLIGHT
By Phil Rudin

The Gamma II is precision-machined from aircraft grade aluminum with a military-grade anodized finish. It has a non-slip contoured body that is 142 mm in length and only 36 mm in diameter (5.6 X 1.4 in). The flashlight weights in at a mere 113 g (4 oz) and is powered by two included CR 123 batteries, which provide over ten hours of burn time. 

Once assembled the Gamma II is depth rated to 120 m (400ft) and has a color temperature of 6500K. The on/ off switch is recessed in the bottom of the tail piece to help prevent accidental activation. 

The Gamma II ships with an O-ring, wrist lanyard with slip locking device, a 2cc silicone lubricant tube and a set of two CR 123 batteries. The Gamma II is available in Black, Silver, Purple, Red and Pink with a US retail price of around $130.00. A two pack of CR 123 replacement batteries can be found for US $4.00. 

How you decide to mount the Gamma II will depend on your personal needs. You can use it with a lanyard, or Ikelite has several mounting kits for a variety of lighting configurations. 

A top mounting kit can be used with a single ball mounting clamp on the top of the housing as a narrow beam focusing light and flashlight, the light can be integrated into just about any ball arm system using a triple clamp or single clamp. 

The Gamma II is small and lightweight; it packs neatly into your luggage or can be carried in your pocket. It is an excellent light for your boat, home or car and an excellent multi-purpose dive light. I like to keep one handy for a number of different uses. I like the narrow beam angle as a focus light for macro and as a secondary light while diving. A single set of batteries will get you through most dive vacations but I always carry spares just in case. 
 

We are looking for new galleries to be submitted.  This valuable benefit of being a SFUPS member allows you to post your own photo or video gallery on the SFUPS web page.  It is an easy process. If you are choosing to create a photo gallery, just choose between 10-30 photos that you would like to include. Size them to 1400 pixels in the long direction, include a photo and brief biography about yourself, and send it to Sue Mears at photofish@mindspring.com. Susan will take care of the rest of the work for you!

Welcome Tony Timpano

This month, we only have one new SFUPS member. If you see Tony Timpano at the meeting, please be sure to give him a warm welcome and introduce him to other members.

If you know someone who is interested in underwater photography, encourage them to join!

  


Beneath the Sea 2017 invites all Photographers and Videographers from the international imaging community to enter this year’s International Imaging Competition!

In addition to general prizes, the competition in each category will be for individual recognition from the Grandmaster of that field:

• Underwater photographers will compete for the coveted David Doubilet award for excellence in underwater photography.
• Underwater Videographers will compete for the distinguished Stan Waterman award for excellence in underwater video.
• Underwater Photographic Artists compete for the celebrated Jim Church award for excellence in creative underwater photography.

SFUPS Photographers, accept the challenge, and submit your underwater photographic work to the Beneath the Sea International Imaging Competition.  The contest deadline is December 31, 2016.  For contest rules and entry visit Beneath the Sea at their Internet site: http://www.Beneaththesea.org.  There you may see the images of previous winners, complete list of rules and regulations, and download an application form for this year’s competition.

The winners of the Beneath the Sea International Imaging Competition will be announced on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.